It’s that time of the year again; the time to reflect on the year gone by, and welcome the New Year with renewed enthusiasm. This is also the time when we make resolutions and set goals for the New Year.
That being said, I personally have had a strange relationship with resolutions. Growing up, I used to love making them, but I rarely ever managed to stick to them post January.
And then there was another phase in my relationship with resolutions – avoidance. I decided to completely ignore them, as I was clearly no good at sticking to them, and there was hardly any point in sticking to what had essentially become a meaningless ritual.
However, that had a downside too. It made me feel directionless in a very strange sort of way.
So since last year, I decided to set selective, reasonable goals, in certain areas of my life, where setting goals made me feel accomplished, without feeling overwhelmed.
And reading is one such area where settings goals has always worked for me.
However, after several years of trial and error, I have realized that there are some things one must keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Today, I am sharing some of the things that I consider while deciding on my reading goals, in hopes that these will help you tailor-make a reading plan/goal for yourself.
Set Realistic Goals
This is the number one thing that you must keep in mind while setting your reading goals. Do not set goals that only ‘look good’, but ensure that they ‘feel right’. If you are someone who can read 100 books a year, that’s great – more power to you! But do not set that as a goal only because you want to surpass someone else’s goal. That is just pointless, and serves no purpose.
For myself, I set number goals that are challenging, but not impossible to achieve. Mostly because, while I love to read, I have a life outside of being a reader; I have a child to raise, a husband to hang out with, and a blog to write on.
Also Read: My Reading Goal for 2019 – 52 Books in 52 Weeks
Set certain specific (yet flexible) goals
This is something that works very well for me. I am not someone who will make a list of specific books that I want to read, even though I generally have a good idea of what I will be reading next.
The only reason why I do not specify the book is because it activates the rebel in me, and then the last thing I want to do is read that book.
So, I counter this with setting a specific broad goal, but with some flexibility. For instance, if the specific broad goal is to read a classic, I still have the freedom of picking any classic.
This way, I read very much in line with my overall goals, and yet have the flexibility to pick and choose what I read.
An example of specific yet flexible reading goal: My Bookish Bingo
Read what you truly want to read & have fun!
This is very important. Always read only what you truly want to read, or what you are in the mood for. Do not feel that you have to read certain books at certain times.
I recently wrote a post about how external factors can influence one’s overall enjoyment of a book, and how that must be considered when picking your next read. But that is just one aspect of it.
Some people I know, feel the pressure to read ‘important books’ (whatever that is supposed to mean!), or even keep reading when they do not feel like it, just to meet their Goodreads goal. Reading should be fun. Don’t let anything/anyone make you forget that.
I hope this post will help some of you in setting or tweaking your reading goals.
I would love to hear from you guys. Do you guys set reading goals? More specifically, do you set number goals? What is your top reading goal for the year?
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Pooja
30 is amazing, I would say. I feel rather sad that last year I did not even read 15 books 🙁
This post has come just when I was trying to set a few reading goals for myself, to overcome that! I will keep all of these in mind and ensure I stick to the plan. 🙂
Pooja recently posted…Reflections- 2015
Shanaya Tales
15 is not too bad. It’s more than a book a month. 🙂
So glad this helped you. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Ruchi Singh
You are absolutely right we should read; what we want to read and when we want to read. Specially while reviewing a book else justice can’t be done for both the readers and authors.
Ruchi Singh recently posted…Book Review:: ‘You are the Best Wife’ by Ajay K Pandey
Shanaya Tales
Very true, Ruchi. Timing is very important. Bad timing will not only ruin our experience, but will also be unfair on the author, if a review is posted.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
BellyBytes
Yes I too plan on improving the number of books I read in 2016 and have set myself a doable target of just a book a month. I know this sounds ridiculously low for an avowed book lover but honestly, the only things I can read carefully these days are prescriptions and instructions and ingredients on labels!
Shanaya Tales
I think you are going about it the right away – we should focus on what is doable and realistic. Wishing you a great 2016. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Parul
I have never set a reading goal for myself and I am not going to attempt as well. I enjoy reading and I want to continue going so. I guess I read some 20 books a year or may be less but usually I go easy paced finding time between work and writing and everything else that comes in between and I love it that way. On resolutions – I want to read better, focus on health, career – big themes. 🙂 and that bookish bingo sounds something cool – do share that 🙂
Parul recently posted…#MicroblogMondays – Beyond wedding ceremonies
Shanaya Tales
Love your resolutions for the new year. Health is a big one for me too this coming year. Wishing you a very happy and prosperous 2016. 🙂 <3
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Paromita Goswami
Awesome article Shatala. You have really spoken my mind. Specially the last point. Just like you cannot eat every item in a buffet similarly you cannot read all books that comes your way. Maybe just tasting a bit of it can crave you for more.
Shanaya Tales
Very true, Paromita. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Omkar
Hi Shanaya. Such a wonderful post. I found it really inspiring and insightful. Especially because I have set plenty haughty and fancy looking goals, and only now I am realizing how important it is to consult with our deeper selves and find out how we feel about it. I think that transition from focusing on how things look to how we feel about them takes time. And it’s more of a personal growth/journey which may take days or years, for us to reach there. And now that I have I can find myself doing things that matter more and I find sensible and I get most out of then doing rather than doing plenty of diverse things.
So in the reading part of my life, I am going to try your advice. I am especially fascinated by the ‘setting specific yet flexible goal’ tip. I am going to use this creatively in all that I do, be it reading or writing or blogging. Will keep you updated on my experiences with that one 😀 I love it! I can already sense the awesome potential of that tip!
Shanaya Tales
You are right; we each have our own personal journey. I am so glad that this helped you out, Omkar. Appreciate the feedback. Do keep me updated about how it works out for you. Glad to connect with you. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Vishal Kataria
The last point resonated most, Shanaya. It’s important to read what you truly want. That lets us enjoy the reading process. Everything else follows after that.
P.S. 30 books in a year is actually a lot! Good luck 🙂
Vishal Kataria recently posted…15 Books That Will Make You More Intelligent in 2016
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Vishal. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Lata S
Shantala you are speaking my mind. I dont like to rush through books. I too have set a reasonable target of 2 books a month. I am so curious about bookish bingo. What it is?
Shanaya Tales
Bookish Bingo is just what the name suggests. 😀 A game of bingo based on my reading goals for 2016 and my picks for meeting those goals. Coming soon. 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Inderpreet Kaur
?? Well I am in the 120+ reading goal and read many more than I had thought. Many I have not even added to Goodreads.
But what ever works….I have no time for TV, watch few movies and carry a book everywhere – even while visiting friends.
But I like to be flexible about it….choose my book and have a good global mix of books. I have been neglecting many good books but not anymore..
I hope you have a great new year. Will check out the link up and bingo.
Inderpreet Kaur recently posted…Vibrant Adventure with ZWOOSH
Shanaya Tales
You are a total Rockstar! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Bookish Bingo! 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Tracey
Working now on setting my reading goals for 2016. I’ve tried it several different ways (a list of specific titles for the whole year, by genre each month, etc.) Just not sure how I want to tackle it for this next year, but already have a Pinterest board full of books I want to read!
Shanaya Tales
A Pintrest board for TBR Books sounds interesting! I will be having a post up, outlining my specific reading goals, in the form of a bookish bingo. I feel that might give you some ideas to base your goals on. Do let me know what you think.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Susan Gourley
I probably read at least 100 books per year and I have learned to read what I want to read and no longer pick up books that are currently popular or of a certain genre. Another thing I’ve gotten better at is putting a book aside if it doesn’t capture me after the first few chapters. I used to finish everything I started but no longer.
I read much less when my children were little like yours. Now we sometimes all sit together in a room and quietly read. It’s great.
Susan Gourley recently posted…Happy Solstice
Shanaya Tales
Oh I have a problem with that. I always try and finish the book that I start. However, I am working on changing this habit, as life is too short for reading things we don’t enjoy, and there are just too many good books waiting to be read!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Chicky
2013 was the first and last time I set a reading goal. [Hangs head in shame] Long term goals just don’t seem to work for me currently. So I’ve made a practice of setting only daily goals.
Chicky recently posted…And The Blog Gets Another Makeover
Shanaya Tales
Whatever works for you is the best thing for you – to each his own! 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Vasantha Vivek
Reading Goals are wonderful tips to plan in 2016. Thanks for the post.
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it, Vasantha. You are very welcome. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Rach
Lovely tips! Would help me as well… though 30 was the target for the #HTBrunchBookChallenge of 2015 I stopped counting and even posting mid way (yep, laziness). Whatever this Bookish Bingo is, sounds like a good reminder.
Happy New Year to all 3 of you!! May this blog grow by leaps and bounds in the coming year, and I get official bragging rights of having a celeb friend (EVERYTHING HAS TO BE ABOUT ME, sorry!)
Cheers & Love,
Rach
Shanaya Tales
Hahaha..like I said, you are one impossible human! But I still love you. <3
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Sundari Venkatraman
“Reading goal” is a new one for me 😀 but interesting. I used to be a voracious reader, before my kids were born – even managed 200-250 books a year. I read next to nothing when my kids were born till the second one started going to school. I have slowed down a lot nowadays; time seems to have shrunk.
I have a “Writing goal” now along with “Publishing goal”. I realise that the first slows down when second doesn’t speed up.
2014 was awesome with 4 books published.
2015 saw only one book; though in print too
2016 – I plan to write and publish at least 4 books. Do wish me luck! 😀
Shanaya Tales
4 books? That is great! But knowing you, I am not surprised. You are a prolific writer! Wishing you the very best – now and always. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Pixie
I cant set reading goals for myself. Just cant.
I thought I would try it for 2016.. but couldn’t!
Shanaya Tales
I understand. There are some areas where goal setting works for me, some areas where it doesn’t. To each his own! 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Nidhi
Very precise and to the point post on goals. I relate to it on so many levels. I do not have reading goals per say but i definitely set goals in all important areas of my life. I do like to set them category wise though, that ways it keeps things balanced.
Nidhi recently posted…My sister’s world-famous SAMBHAR POWDER
Shanaya Tales
Yeah, category wise makes sense. It helps to focus better.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
I have reading goals for next year. Goodreads has always been on my list and I’ve changed the limit each year depending on what I am capable of. For this year it was 25 books and I’ve managed 29 so far and aim to finish another before the year ends. For next year, I thought I’d try with 35. I know what you mean by having a life outside of reading too. Balance is the key to all goals.
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life recently posted…Goodbye 2015
Shanaya Tales
Exactly. Moderation and balance is important. However, the definition of those things might vary from person to person.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Beloo Mehra
Good luck with your reading goals for the new year! I am always a bit superstitious about announcing my goals/resolutions, but I do have something like that in my mind as far as reading/studying is concerned. Let’s hope I can work sincerely toward that in the coming year.
Best wishes for the new year!
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much.
I know from experience that announcing goals works for me, but to each his own!
I hope you do achieve the goals that you have set for yourself, and have a wonderful new year. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.
Sreesha
Yeah 30 is such a reasonable number. I do envy those who can read 100-150 books a year, but envy does not mean I want to get into a race with them. I’d rather be comfortable.
Oh and you know that I SO agree with that point about reading what you want to read as opposed to what you feel you /have/ to.
Sreesha recently posted…Of The Empaths – Part 2
Shanaya Tales
Right, it always amazes me when people write about how they read an “important”/ “milestone” book and also mention that they hated the whole experience, but will read the sequel, just to keep up with everyone. I wonder what their motivations are!
And, oh yes! I envy the ones in the 100/150 book club too. But I know that it is not something that I can do, at-least in the current phase of my life, and I am okay with that. Reading is sometimes a distraction, sometimes an escape, but I will never make it a race!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Reading Goals – 3 things to keep in mind while setting reading goals.